Author Topic: Overlander equipment for extended trip (Read 8153 times)

Flyin6 · « **on:** March 30, 2019, 08:17:00 PM »

So this thread will be dedicated to examining and documenting the use of a myriad of "Camping" gear that will be used in my Overlander 2002 Suburban.

The vehicle is set up for three, stretchable to four people for semi extended romps into parts unknown.

In another series of threads (Link shown below) you can see the development of the vehicle from a stock Suburban 2500, semi-heavy duty 4WD into a full blown off road, overland capable vehicle

http://real-man-truckworks-and-survival.com/index.php?topic=3703.0

The vehicle is but one component to the "System" of stuff that is needed to make all this workout

We will have to eat, sleep, do our proper biologics, shower, relax, stay healthy, stay out of the weather and a host of other things. Everything we need to do this needs to be sourced from the four-wheeled monster that ultimately gets us there. Admittedly, we require a lot more "Stuff", but there simply isn't room.

I have planned for a month long maiden voyage if you will that will span an entire month and cross most of the United States in a big 7,000 mile loop. My hope is to use the truck several times during the year for weekend family outings which I use not only for valuable memory building, but also for teaching and honing of survival skills. In the years to come I plan to expand into a towed off road trailer which would provide much of what I have forementioned, leaving the vehicle free to maybe scoot down to a nearby town for some ice cream or to visit some interesting attraction. But that is not the case now.

So what have I got going so far? Well we have purchased a sizeable roof tent, built a roof rack, purchased a bargo basket to carry more junk, built interior storage and began adding stuff everywhere.

It seems logical at this point to purchase and collect a bunch of the items we will be carrying so that I can sort out just how I am going to store everything.

To that end, I made a sizeable order to REI this afternoon to get some of that stuff coming in.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 30, 2019, 08:18:38 PM »

Well, I think it goes without saying that we will need a table or two. Here is one big enough to eat off of and cook on as well. We chose an Alps mountain folder made of aluminum

A normal seat height chair will scoot right underneath it so a normal noisy family dinner is definitely in the offing!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 30, 2019, 08:21:41 PM »

We will need a Loo, so Reliant will provide the throne for those thoughtful moments. It comes with plastic bags that both gel liquids and provide for rapid decomposition

Flyin6 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2019, 08:23:18 PM »

You wouldn't want to just sit out in the open pondering life, so a bit of privacy will be afforded by this cool Kelty bathroom sixed annex that we can stake downwind near the hippy's tents

Flyin6 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2019, 08:26:32 PM »

That enclosure will also provide for space in which to shower.

I purchased this nifty portable pressurized shower unit. Fill it with 11 liters of water, then pump the vessel up with the foot pump and it says it will provide for 5-7 minutes of shower time

It stores down to a little roll which is maybe 8" in diameter and stands perhaps 6" tall.

Compact, lightweight, functionality, and perhaps dual/triple purpose is the name of the game when outfitting a vehicle

Flyin6 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 30, 2019, 08:30:36 PM »

Sorry for posting thumbnails up there ^^^^ I'll get much betterer pictures when I get the stuff in

Next I know I want to do some cooking. We will be snacking on a bunch of protein and energy bars and making a quick sandwich while travelling, but from time to time I'd like to flip a burger or make a stack of pancakes.

So I purchased a more basic level camp stove. a Eureka, that I can quickly grow out of when I upgrade to something NASA surplus in the future and not feel bad giving this to one of the kids

Flyin6 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 30, 2019, 08:31:31 PM »

And speaking of pancakes, a griddle plate to cook on:

Flyin6 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 30, 2019, 08:33:00 PM »

And a couple of pots for beans, franks, and my pot spaghetti

wyorunner · « **Reply #8 on:** March 30, 2019, 11:24:08 PM »

An RV in pieces!!! I like it! So would the wife. We have some of the above exact or similar. I look forward to a shower review, she would love to have one!! We’ve used truck stop showers in the past.

Good to see you moving along with preps for the trip! Gonna be a great one.

Farmer Jon · « **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2019, 08:23:59 AM »

What will you use for perishables? You cant just go to the store and buy ice everyday. Canned food is good but even home canned food gets monotonous after a couple days.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 31, 2019, 02:24:38 PM »

Quote from: Farmer Jon on March 31, 2019, 08:23:59 AM

What will you use for perishables? You cant just go to the store and buy ice everyday. Canned food is good but even home canned food gets monotonous after a couple days.

This cooler keeps ice longer than anything I have ever experienced. I'm thinking we are adding to the ice say every three days. That is doable I think. Drain off the water and freshen ice on top and away you go.
Some canned things for sure like beans. But meat/eggs/milk and the like should hold out just fine in the deep freeze device. Plan on doing pancakes regularly, hence the griddle iron thing.
A lot of the answers I simply do not have. But I'm betting that following this trip, I will have some good answers to what I am wondering about now and for things that I haven't even thought of!

KensAuto · « **Reply #11 on:** March 31, 2019, 04:36:03 PM »

Frozen homemade burritos, in different combinations, make excellent long term camping meals...and chili.

stlaser · « **Reply #12 on:** March 31, 2019, 05:46:01 PM »

Ken, how do you heat them up? Dutch oven over fire?

Don, surprised about camp shower. Thought maybe you would do campgrounds and truck stops for showers every couple days. Guessing quite a bit of dispersed camping then?

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #13 on:** March 31, 2019, 05:54:58 PM »

Ken, but those burritos will tax the porta potty....

Don, You got this consideration yet?

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Inverter-Outlets-Battery-PS1004/dp/B0131PZ9J2/ref=sr_1_7?hvadid=3522469419&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=inverter+3000w&qid=1554069140&s=gateway&sr=8-7

also, run it off the second battery and isolate the first from the second. That way you won't drain your primary battery but it will charge from the alternator.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00400IYTK/ref=psdc_15719961_t2_B001FQOGK8
You can run a small microwave easily. Add an outlet in the rear and you can run power tools, chargers, microwave, etc

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 31, 2019, 06:20:06 PM »

We used to retrofit the quad cab dodge trucks that were weld rigs with big slide out cabinets with a fridge and toaster on one side and a microwave on the other. Whole back cab was gone but they had plenty of stuff

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 31, 2019, 10:05:46 PM »

Quote from: TexasRedNeck on March 31, 2019, 05:54:58 PM

Ken, but those burritos will tax the porta potty....

Don, You got this consideration yet?

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Inverter-Outlets-Battery-PS1004/dp/B0131PZ9J2/ref=sr_1_7?hvadid=3522469419&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=inverter+3000w&qid=1554069140&s=gateway&sr=8-7

also, run it off the second battery and isolate the first from the second. That way you won't drain your primary battery but it will charge from the alternator.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00400IYTK/ref=psdc_15719961_t2_B001FQOGK8
You can run a small microwave easily. Add an outlet in the rear and you can run power tools, chargers, microwave, etc

Way ahead of ya friend.
Already have an inverter sitting here
Second battery will be seperated, however connected to a "Disconnect" switch. If main bat should ever lose charge, a simple flip of a rather massive switch, and I can tie it into the vehicle circuit.
I may elect to charge that battery while motoring down the freeway, but looking at a solar panel charging system.
I'll probably do the electrical system right after the rear axle and bumpers

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #16 on:** March 31, 2019, 10:07:29 PM »

Figures. I’d get an isolator and a 3 position switch. Charging normally off the alternator and no drain, and then flip the switch if you need it to crank the motor.

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 31, 2019, 10:12:22 PM »

Quote from: stlaser on March 31, 2019, 05:46:01 PM

Ken, how do you heat them up? Dutch oven over fire?

Don, surprised about camp shower. Thought maybe you would do campgrounds and truck stops for showers every couple days. Guessing quite a bit of dispersed camping then?

We will have our share of campgrounds, but we also plan to venture into some parks/public land and go remote for a couple days here and there.

KensAuto · « **Reply #18 on:** April 01, 2019, 12:37:50 AM »

Shawn, gas grill mostly...which Don just ordered.
... that's when there's not an RV around.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 04, 2019, 08:04:05 AM »

A whole bunch of REI stuff just showed up

Flyin6 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 04, 2019, 08:05:09 AM »

I chose a lot of this stuff for it's small size and light weight

This shower unit holds 11 liters of water and has a foot pump to provide pressure for a 5 minute shower

Flyin6 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 04, 2019, 08:06:14 AM »

And to get your mind right in the morn, what about pancakes?? Plus flap-jack flour is easy to store

Flyin6 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 04, 2019, 08:07:47 AM »

Settled on this Eureka stove. Have owned both Eureka and Coleman in the past, classic time proven designs that are dirt floor simple. I chose this one because of its compactness

Flyin6 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 04, 2019, 08:09:41 AM »

And Mr potty man!

For the introspective, thought provoking moments of one's day

This stores in the overhead rack currently as I configure this vehicle and learn where everything is going to fit

Flyin6 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 04, 2019, 08:11:34 AM »

Both the camp table and loo pack down in these two bags

Soon the practice begins with the boys learning how to put all of this up, and take it back down and stow it according to my load plan

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #25 on:** April 04, 2019, 08:40:19 AM »

Is there a weight limit to that Pooh-on-potty?

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #26 on:** April 04, 2019, 12:49:13 PM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on April 04, 2019, 08:40:19 AM

Is there a weight limit to that Pooh-on-potty?

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Yes, around 300 or maybe 350...

Flyin6 · « **Reply #27 on:** April 04, 2019, 11:03:30 PM »

Picked up two chairs today that I had ordered from Amazon.

I went with steel frames this time purely for durability and strength. I used this one all afternoon to take breaks in. It's plenty sturdy

Flyin6 · « **Reply #28 on:** April 04, 2019, 11:04:59 PM »

I then started filling an emergency toolbox. This stuff filled the box pretty completely, so I'll switch to a deeper Bosch L-Box

Flyin6 · « **Reply #29 on:** April 04, 2019, 11:07:11 PM »

The supplemental shelving/bin thing I created is starting to fill up. The portable 11 liter shower can be seen resting in its bin that was built just for it (And a couple more things)

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #30 on:** April 04, 2019, 11:22:22 PM »

Are you not building one of these for the other side of the cabin?
One of my camp tents has a pretty handy mesh net on the ceiling for the random things. You could mount something similar to the roof area there

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #31 on:** April 05, 2019, 09:02:04 AM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on April 04, 2019, 11:22:22 PM

Are you not building one of these for the other side of the cabin?
One of my camp tents has a pretty handy mesh net on the ceiling for the random things. You could mount something similar to the roof area there

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I'm actually looking for the best "net" material to use. Something with some elasticity maybe...

Plan to attach it on one end and velcro it on the other, to "Throw over and go."

stlaser · « **Reply #32 on:** April 05, 2019, 09:13:44 AM »

Plenty of suv rear cargo nets out there, a lot of them come oem even. Sorry don’t have a link but our Lexus has one in the trunk of the car. Bungee type net.

KensAuto · « **Reply #33 on:** April 05, 2019, 09:50:58 AM »

Pretty sure that year burb came with them in the back, but could be wrong.
I know you could get a "deck" that rolled out over the top of the rear side panels because I saved the one out of my wife's when she traded off.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #34 on:** April 05, 2019, 11:35:39 AM »

Quote from: stlaser on April 05, 2019, 09:13:44 AM

Plenty of suv rear cargo nets out there, a lot of them come oem even. Sorry don’t have a link but our Lexus has one in the trunk of the car. Bungee type net.

Did you see that folded up net in some previous pics? That came out of my Frau's Yukon Denali from way back in like 2008 ish.

Smells like cat pi__. Have to launder that and see if its useable.

stlaser · « **Reply #35 on:** April 05, 2019, 11:49:52 AM »

Sorry didn’t boss

Nate · « **Reply #36 on:** April 09, 2019, 11:52:45 PM »

Upon searching, i would recommend ditching that huge roof top tent thing for 3 of these......

http://www.litefighter.com/product/litefighter-1-shelter-system/

Flyin6 · « **Reply #37 on:** April 10, 2019, 09:02:05 AM »

Quote from: Nate on April 09, 2019, 11:52:45 PM

Upon searching, i would recommend ditching that huge roof top tent thing for 3 of these......

http://www.litefighter.com/product/litefighter-1-shelter-system/

You've lost it Sarge

Disapproved!

JR · « **Reply #38 on:** April 11, 2019, 08:45:07 PM »

Guess I am not subbed to this yet,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Farmer Jon · « **Reply #39 on:** April 12, 2019, 05:33:27 AM »

I am wondering how you how you will stow your firearms.

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #40 on:** April 12, 2019, 08:20:22 AM »

Quote from: Farmer Jon on April 12, 2019, 05:33:27 AM

I am wondering how you how you will stow your firearms.

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Thought about making one of those sliding drawers lockable for long gun

Pistol is staying nearby laws or not

JR · « **Reply #41 on:** April 12, 2019, 02:04:36 PM »

Outa site, outa mind.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #42 on:** April 12, 2019, 03:55:10 PM »

Quote from: JR on April 12, 2019, 02:04:36 PM

Outa site, outa mind.

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